
COPYRIGHT, 1893, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 



piays for ^mateur Sfyeatrieals. 

BY GEORGE 7U£. BKKER, 

Author of "Amateur Dramas ," "The Mimic Stage" "The Social Stage" "The Drawing* 
Kooin Stage" "Handy Dramas" il The Exhibition Dramas" it A Baker's Dozen," etc. 

Titles in this Type are New Plays. 

Titles in this 'Xype are Temperance Plays, 



DRAMAS. 

In Four A c.s 
Better than Gold. 7 male, 4 female 



char. 



In Three Acts. 

tj>nr Fr»ll£S. 6 male, 5 female char. 

The Flower of the Family. 5 
male, 3 female char. ...... 

Eni'isted for the War. 7 male, 3 fe- 
male char . 

My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- 
male char o . . . 

The Little Jiroivn J tiff. 5 male, 3 
female char , . . . . 

In Two A cts. 
Above the Cloudf. 7 male, 3 female 



ch< 



One Hundred Years Ago. 7 male, 
4 female char 

Among the Breakers, 6 male, 4 female 
char 

Bread on the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 

char 

Down by the Sea. 6 male, 3 female 



ch 

Once on a Time. 4 male, 2 female char. 
The J^ast Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. 

In One Act. 
otand by the Flac;. 5 male char. . . 
Vhe Tempter. 3 male, 1 female char. 

COMEDIES AND FARCES. 

A Mysterious Disappearance. 4 

male, 3 female char. ....... 

Paddle Your Own Canoe. 7 male 

3 female char. ......... 

A Drop too Much. 4 male, 2 female 

char , . . . r 

A Little More Cider. 5 male, 3 fe- 
male char, o 

A Thorn Among the Roses. 2 male, 6 
female char 

Never ^ay Die. 3 maie, 3 female char. 

Seeing the Elephant. 6 male, 3 female 
char. . . „ 

The Boston Dip. 4 male, 3 female char. 

The Duchess of Dublin. 6 male, 4 fe- 
male char. . . . o .... . . 

Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 

4 male, 3 female char - • 

We're ail Teetotalers. 4 male, 2 fe- 
male char. ......»••• 

Male Characters Only. 
A Close Shave, ft char. ...... 

A Public Benefactor. 6 char. , . . 
A Sea of Troubles. 8 char 



COMEDIES, etc., continued. 

Male Characters Only. 

A Tender Attachment. 7 char. . . 15 

Coals of Fire. 6 char. . . . . . . 15 

Freedom of the Press. 8 char. ... 15 

Shall Onr Mothers Vot« ? 1 1 char. 15 

Gentlemen of the Jury. 12 char. . . 15 

Humors of the Strike. 8 char. ... 15 

My Uncle the Captain. 6 char. . . . 15 

New ({rooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . 15 

The Great Elixir. 9 char 15 

Thk Hypochondriac. 3 char 15 

the Man with the Demijohn. 4 

char 15 

The Runaways. 4 char 15 

The Thief of Time. 6 char 15 

Wanted, a Male Cook. 4 char. ... 15 

Female Characters Only. 

A Dove of a Bonnet. 5 char. .... 15 

A Precious Pickle. 6 char 15 

No Cure No Pay. 7 char 15 

The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. . 15 

The Greatest Plague in Life. 8 char. 15 

The Grecian Bend. 7 char. . . . . 15 

The Red Chignon. 6 char 15 

Using the Weed. 7 char 15 



ALLEGORIES. 

A rrangedfor Music and Tableaux. 
Lighthart's Pilgrimage. 8 female 



char. 



The Revolt of the Bees. 9 female 



:har. 



The Sculptor's Triumph, i male. 4 fe- 
male char. 

The Tournament of Idylcourt. 10 fe- 
male char. . 

The War of the Roses. 8 female char. 

The Voyage of Life. 8 female char. . 

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. 

An Original Idea, i male, 1 female 

Bonbons; or, the Paint King. 6 male, 
1 female char 

Capuletta; or, Romeo and Juliet 
Restored. 3 male, 1 female char. 

Santa Claus' Frolics. 

Snow-bound; or, Alonzo the Brave, 
and the Fair Imogene. 3 male, 1 
female char. .......... 

The Merry Christmas of the Old 
Woman who Lived in a Shoe, . . . 

The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male 
char. ...... 

The Seven Ages. A Tableau Entertain- 
ment. Numerous male and female char. 

Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. 

The Visions of Freedom, ii female 
char. ..< o . . 



WALTER H. BAKER & CO., 23 Winter St„ Boston. 



THE OLD PARSON 



& " JFirst fart jFintelj " for a Negro 
JHtnstrtl ISntcrtatmnettt 



EDITED BY 

GEORGE H. COES 










BOSTON 



1893 



4 THE OLD PARSON. 

Mr. W. Who's there ? 

Parson. Your beloved parson, Reverend Doctor Julius X. 
Wide'mouth, leader of de lambs in de flocks of Zion. 
Omnes. It's de Parson ! It's de Parson ! 

{Enter Parson, r. i e, with umbrellal") 

Parson. Am dis de domicile whar de family ob de Barnrakes 
lives ? Umph ? 

Mrs. B. It am, your reverence. 

Parson. Yes ? Den you has a darter dat's to be raffled for 
dis evening? 

Mrs. B. I have, your reverence. You see dat young man dar, 
Jackson Doolittle? He throwed three sixes, and de consequences 
is, he takes de chicken. 

Parson. Yes? Don't you find it rather chilly up around de 
{local) ? Umph ? 

Mrs. B. {produces flask). Well, 'tis kind er salubrious, dat's a 
fact. {Gives to Parson, who drinks.) 

Parson. W T hat is dat, old woman? 

Mrs. B. You know very well what it is. {Drinks.) 

Parson {feels for book). I lost my — {to all) have you seen 
anything of a Testament? {Pulls out pack of cards ; bus.) 

Omnes. Oh ! oh ! 

Parson. Dat's de New Testament ; I want de old one. {Pulls 
out book.) Oh, here it is ! Well, children, I am very sorry to be 
called upon to officiate on dis lemoncholy occasion ; but such is 
life. Man is mortal, and must die. All flesh is grass, and grass is 
hay. We're here to-morrow and gone to-day. Eight men ; where's 
de corpse ? 

Mr. W. {interrupting). Parson, this is not a funeral ; this is a 
wedding. 

Topsey {jumping up and down). Parson. Parson, bring on 
your beer. How many parsons have we here? One, two, three, 
four — (Mr. B. knocks Topsey down; she gets up quick and goes 
to Ariminta for protection . ) 

Mr. B. Hush your business! Whar do you think you is — in 
de circus? 

Parson. Well, children, dis am a great world to live in. To 
spend or lend or give in. But to beg or borrow, or git a man's own, 
it's de very worst world dat ever was known. You are about to 
plunge yourselves in de miseries of matricide. 

Mrs. B. No, no; matrimony. 

Parson. Yes. I got de wrong page. You are about to join in 
de holy bands of padlock. 

Mrs. B. No, no; wedlock. 

Parson. Yes. You are about to shuffle off dis coil of single 
cussedness. 

Mrs. B. No, no ; blessedness. 



THE OLD PARSON. 5 

Parson. Yes. Dis has been de custom since de good old days 
of Adam. Adam was a man of singular dis-temper. He didn't «o 
runnin 1 around like de young me n of de present day. No! 
What did he do ? (He makes an effort to strike Topsey.) Go 
away, else I'll lay you out, sissy. 

Mrs. B. No,' you won't! I'll do all de layin' out dat's to be 
done here. 

Parson., What did he do? 

Mrs. B. Yes, dat's it; tell us what he done. 

Parson. He went across to his uncle's house and borrowed 
his eld white mule. Went down to Eve's house, and settled de 
business thar and then. Which one is de Barnrakes? 

(Doolittle and Ariminta come to c.) 

Parson (goes behind them). Ariminta Barnrakes, grasp the 
right hand of Mr. Hoehandle! 

Mrs. B. No ; Doolittle. 

Parson. Yes ; Doolittles. Do you swear to speak de truth, de 
whole truth, and nothing but de truth ? 

Mrs. B. No, no; you are marryin' 'em ; you ain't in de court- 
house. 

Parson. Didn't dey do dere courtin' here? Oh, no; I got in 
de wrong district. Jackson Doolittle, do you take this young girl 
to be you un-lawful wedded wife, to love, honor, and dis-obey her 
as long as you live, so help you Weehawken? 

Ariminta. I do, I do, I do ! 

Parson. Den, Miss Ariminta Barnrakes, do you take dis young 
scalawag to be your un-lawful wedded husband, to love, honor, and 
dis-obey him as long as you live, so help you Syracuse? 

Jackson. I do, I do, I do ! 

Parson. Den it is de will of your beloved parson dat you be 
taken from whence you came, and dar to remain until the thirty- 
first day of Septober, then to be taken out and hung by the neck — 

(Ariminta swoons in Jackson's arms ; Parson goes to r.) 

Mr. W. Parson, you're wrong; they are married. 

Parson. Yes. Some one has been foolin' wid de Testament. 
(Goes between them.) Den, children, I pronounce you hermetically 
sealed, in every lawful way, man and wife, accordin' to Hoyle. 
May you both live long and prosper. May you both have grand- 
children. 

Both. Oh, oh ! 

Parson. De bill of cost on dis occasion is just fifteen cents. 

(Topsey hits Parson with the meal-bag', Parson strips quick to 
a prize-fighter, and strikes an attitude-, Topsey runs behind 
Mrs. B.) 

Parson. Oh, I am a man of peace, and de leader of de church 
of Zion, but you bet your sweet life I can lick the man that struck 



6 THE OLD PARSON. 

me with that meal-bag. It goes ! Any man fools wid me is losing 
time. 

Mr. W. Parson, it's all a mistake — don't £et excited. Come, 
it's within a half-second of twelve o'clock. {Clock strikes twelve 
outside.) 

Omnes. We wish the bridal couple a happy New Year. (Music j 
chord. ) 

Parson (sings). " Hear dem Bells," etc. 

CURTAIN. 



Baker's Monthly Bulletin. 



New Plays, 

DIALOGUES, DRILLS AND MISCELLANEOUS ENTERTAINMENTS 

BAKER'S ACTING EDITION. 

Price, 15 cents, unless otherwise stated. 



A RICE PUDDING. A Comedy in Two Acts. By Esther B. Tif- 
FANV. For two male and three female characters. Scene, a simple interior, the 
same for both acts. Costumes modern and simple, but affording opportunity for 
elegant dressing, if it is desired. No properties required beyond what may be 
found in every house. The story of this piece deals with the mishaps of an in- 
experienced housekeeper in a new house. Its humor is abundant, its satire of 
the " Cooking School " shrewd, its incidents dramatic, its dialogue brilliant. 
Time in playing, an hour and twenty minutes. (1888.) Price, 25 Cents. 

ANITA'S TRIAL : or, Our Girls in Camp. A Comedy in Three Acts, 
for female charactersonly. By Esther B. Tiffany. Eleven female charac- 
ters. Its story is entertaining, and its dialogue delicately humorous. One scene 
only is necessary for the three acts — a camp in the woods, easily arranged. The 
dresses are simple and picturesque camping costumes. The enormous suc- 
cess of " Rebecca's Triumph " has created a demand for this sort of piece, to 
meet which we confidently present "Anita's Trial," in which is solved, with 
do less success than in its predecessor, the difficult problem of constructing a 
play of strong human interest without the assistance of male characters. Plays 
two hours. (1889.) Price, 25 Cents. 

THE WAY TO HIS POCKET. A Comedy in One Act. By Esther 
33. Tiffany. For two male and three female characters. Scene, an interior ; 
costumes modern. All its requirements are simple to the last degree, and offer 
no difficulties. This little play is in Miss Tiffany's best vein, and admirably con- 
tinues the series of parlor pieces, refined in humor and clever in plan, of which 
she is the author. Plays about an hour. (1889.) 

AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER. A Comedy Drama in Three Acts. 
35y Esther B. Tiffany. For five male and five female characters. This is by 
far the strongest work from this writer's pen, and unites to the sparkle and 
grace which characterized her earlier pieces, dramatic power of a high order. 
As in all her pieces, the dialogue is distinguished by brilliancy, and its humor 
genuine but refined. Two scenes only, both interiors, are required, and the 
properties and dresses are simple, modern in character, and easily gotten up. 
Equally suitable for stage or parlor performance. Plays about two hours. (1889.) 

Price, 25 Cents. 

THE BAT AND THE BALL; or, Negative Evidence. A Farce 
in One Act. Four male, three female characters. Scenery, costumes and prop- 
erties simple. Time in playing, about forty minutes. Showing the difficulties 
that may arise from the practice of Amateur Photography. A roaring farce. 
(18S9.) 

SHAMROCK AND ROSE. A romantic Drama of Irish Life during 
the Rebellion of '98, in Four Acts. By John Fitzgerald Murphy. Seven 
male and three female characters. Costumes and scenery not difficult. Every 
part a good one. A sure hit. Printed as played under tbe author's personal di- 
rection at the Dudley Street Opera House, Boston, and the Newport Opera 
F-mse. Plays two hours and a half. (1887-'89.) Price, 25 Cents. 

A FOOL FOR LUCK. A Farcical Comedy in Two Acts. By W. M. 
Browne. For four male and three female characters. This laughable comedy 
ef modern society turns upon the mania for stock speculation. The leading 
comedy character is a type of Englishman not unrelated to Lord Dundreary, the 
ether personages and the scene being American. The dialogue is very bright, 
the scenery and costumes very easy. Plays one hour acd a half. (1889.) , 

Price, 25 Cents. 



Baker's Monthly Bulletin. 



OUT OF HIS SPHERE. A Comedy in Three Acts. By David 
Hill. Five male, three female characters. Scenery, two simple interiors. The 
leading character is an old farmer, whose wish for the comforts of city life and 
the luxuries of wealth is answered in an unexpected and embarrassing manner. 
The piece abounds in rustic humor, the contrast between the simple old country- 
man and his city surroundings being ludicrously emphasized. All the characters 
are good and the piece easy to produce. Plays one hour and a half. (1889.) 

IN THE ENEMY'S CAMP; or, The Stolen Dispatches. A 
Drama in Three Acts. By S. J. Bkown. Eight male, two female characters. 
Good leading parts, genteel villain, Irish and negro characters. Time of playing 
about two hours. The plot is concerned with imaginary events of the Rebellion, 
and it is not unsuited to the needs of Grand Army Posts. Scenery simple ; very 
easy camp scene. (1889.) 

SIX TO ONE; on The Scapegrace. A Comedietta in One Act. For 
one male and six female characters. By F. A. Matthews. Costumes, those of 
every-day life ; scenery, not at all necessary. Five types of society girl are sati- 
rized with a keen hand — the Boston Girl, the Philadelphia Girl, the Chicago 
Girl, etc., etc. The dialogue is bright and the situations amusing. The one male 
character is an excellent one and plays itself. Plays half an hour. 

OUT OF THE SHADOW; or, A Noble Sacrifice. A Drama 
in Three Acts. For six male and three female characters. By A. Vatter and 
«J. E. Spencer. Costumes modern ; scenery not difficult. The scene is laid in 
a New England factory town. The story is a strong and dramatic one, abound- 
ing in effective situations. The hero, an ex-convict, has won fortune and repu- 
tation in a new land, but is ever haunted by the shadow of disgrace, which finally 
comes to him in the person of Ramenort, a fellow-convict. The climax of the 
piece is Ramenoffs abandonment of his pursuit for the love of his daughter, 
whom his avowal will disgrace. Two strong leading parts for men, and good 
comedy character. 'Ihe third act reaches a climax of unusual power, and will 
electrify an audience. Plays two hours and a half . (1889.) Price, 25 Cent". 

A BLACK DIAMOND. A Comedy in Two Acts. By M. R. Orne. 
Three male and five female characters. Scene, an easy interior ; costumes mod- 
ern. The leading character is a colored soubrette of the general flavor of Topsy 
in " Uncle Tom " — a great part for a lively comedy actress. Other characters 
good. A lively little play. (1890.) 

A KETTLE OF FISH. A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts. Six male, 
four female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery all interiors. This amus- 
ing piece is adapted from the same source from which Mr. Daly derived his popu- 
lar " 7-20-8," and is a sure humorous hit. Time in playing, two hours and a 
quarter. (189 r >.) 

JSIOTE.— The sole right to publicly perform adaptations from this source is 
claimed by Mr. Augustin Daly. As, therejore, vo right to -play it can be given 
to purchasers of the books, the piece has been withdravm from sale. 

A BOX OF MONKEYS. A Parlor Farce in Two Acts. By Gracb 
Ij. Fitrniss. Two male and three female characters. Scene, an easy interior,, 
the same for both acts ; costumes modern. This clever little play of modern 
society is strong in interest, brilliant in dialogue, sprightly and graceful in move- 
ment. It can be successfully played in a parlor without scenery. Sierra Benga- 
line, the heroine, is a typical American girl, full of fun and go. A capital part. 
Plays one hour and a half. (1889.) 

A LION AMONG LADIES. A Parlor Comedy in Two Acts. By 
Wm. F. Macy. Four male and four female characters. Scene, a simple inte- 
rior, the same for both acts ; costumes modern ; time in representation, one 
hour. This little play was performed by the author and some friends with greai 
success on several occasions. It is interesting, bright, easy to do, and has the 
unusual feature of construction that the female parts, two of which are especi- 
ally good, are most prominent in the action. Plays an hour and a half. (18'JO.) 

THE GOLDEN COOSE. A Play for Children, in Four Scenes. By 
H. Cunningham. Parts for ten boys and four girls. No singing. Scenery and 
costumes easilv improvised. The characteristic features of this piece are sim- 
plicity, both of idea and expression, inexpensiveness in the getting up, and the 
choice of a subject already familiar to children, and so readily comprehended in 
dramatic form. Its story, besides, is entirely told ii action. Thus, since some- 
thing is always being done as well as said, the juvenile attention is firmly held to 
the end, and the interest perpetually excited. Plays three-quarters of an hour. 
(1890.) 



AN ENTIRE NOVELTY. 



THE GREAT MORAL 

Dime Show 

AN ENTERTAINMENT IN ONE SCENE. 

By MARY B. HORNE, 

Author of "The Peak Sisters," Prof. Baxter's Great Invention," 

"The Book of Drills," "The Carnival of Days," 

"Plantation Bitters," Etc. 



Nine male, seven female characters. Costumes simple; scenery an ordinary 
interior, or may be dispensed with altogether. Plays from half an hour upward, 
aCeprdmg to the number and character of additional specialties introduced 
Printed exactly as first performed by the Unity Club, Watertown, Mass., on 
Friday evening, February 5, 1892. 



This most amusing entertainment is a burlesque of the ordinary "dime- 
mr.seuni, ' so-called, but is entirely devoid of the vulgarity of its original, and 
perfectly adapted to church or home performance. The characters are, save the 
lecturer and her assistant, a wonderful collection of "freaks" of nature- (some- 
what assisted by art) who sing, dance or recite, according to their special 
abilities, in illustration of the explanatory lectu e. It is most elastic in its 
requirements, can be played on any stage or platform, with or without scenery, 
and with a greater or smaller number of characters., according to taste or 
necessity. It can be made uproariously funny, and is in character as well as fact 

A SEQUEL TO THE. PEAK SISTERS. 

Price, 15 Cents. 



s-sriisroipsxs. 

SCENE.— The exhibition hall of Sister Ke/Jah's Show. Sister Seziah's intro- 
ductory lecture. Johnathan, the bashful assistant. Introductory hymn. 
Introduction of the "freaks." Daxikl McGlnty rediricus. Daniel's song, 
Iakia ZaRATK, the celebrated Mexican dwarf. Kioto, the shortest man 
alive, not financially. The wonderful Mermaid. The Mermaid's song 
OASSlus White, the ossified boy. A "rocky" recitation. Kallulu, the 
only specimen of his kind in captivity; illustrated by cuts. SlGXOK Galassi 
the celebrated Glass-Eater. Galassi sings. Allegro Pexskroso the won- 
derful two-headed girl; not to be confounded with the more common two- 
lwo ways of eating a pickle. Ida and Ioxe. the Grecian 
lPHAEL Iixtoret, the blind painter, who paints blinds in full 



faced girl 
maidens. Rapii 
view of the audience. Ah C 



'"" u U1 ,e audience. Ah (Jinx and Wu\ Luxe, the Chinese twins ex- 
tremely well connected from birth. " The Land of Tea." Ka-foozle FUM 
the Turkish vocalist. Grand finale and curtain. *vui^i* i m, 



B 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

nimimiiBii 

016 102 715 7 • 

AKER'S SELECTED LIST 
OF JUVENILE OPERETTAS 



Designed especially for Church, School, and other Amateur Organ- 
izations. Complete, with all the music and full directions for 
performance. 



Grandpa's Birthday. In One Act. Words by Dexter Smith; 
music by C. A. White. For one adult (male or female) and three 
children; chorus, if desired. Piiice, 25 Cents. 

Jimmy, The Newsboy. In One Act. Written and composed by 
W. C. Parker. For one adult (male), and one boy. No chorus. 
Very easy and tuneful. Prick, 25 Cents. 

The Pour-leafed Clover. In Three Acts. By Mary B. Hokne. 

For children of from six to fifteen years. Seven boys, seven girls, 
and chorus. Very picturesque. Price, 50 Cents. 

Beans and Buttons. In One Act. Words by Wm. II. Lepeke; 
music by Alfred Ct. Kobyn. Two male and two female characters; 
no chorus. Very comical and easy. Price, 50 Cents. 

Hunt the Thimble. In One Act. Words by A. G. Lewis; music by 
Leo R. Lewis. Two male, two female characters and small chorus. 
Simple and pretty. Price, 50 Cents. 

Red Riding Hood's Rescue. In Four Scenes. Words by J. E. 

Estabrook; music by J. Astor Broad. Three male, four female 
characters and chorus. Price, 50 Cents. 

Golden Hair and the Three Bears. In Five Scenes. By J. Astor 
Broad. Three adults (2 in., 1 f.), eight children and chorus. Music 
is easy, graceful, and pleasing. Price, 75 Cents. 

R. E. Porter ; or, The Interviewer and the Fairies. In Three 
Acts. Words by A. G. Lewis; music by Leo R. Lewis. Six male, 
six female characters, and chorus. Very picturesque and pretty* 

Price, 75 Cents. 

Gyp, Junior. In Two Acts. Words by Earl Marble; music by 
D. F. Hodges. Two males, one female (adult), three children and 
chorus. Very successful and easily produced. Price, 75 Cents. 

AlvinG-ray; or, The Sailor's Return. In Three Acts. Written 
and composed by C. A. White. Ten characters, including chorus; 
can be made more effective by employing a_ larger number. 

Price, 75 Cents. 



Catalogues describing the above and other popular entertain- 
ments sent free on application to 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO., 

THEATRICAL PUBLISHERS, 

No. 23 Winter Street, - Boston, Mass. 



